Impulse-transmitting device



l 641,617 Sept- 6 1927- J. G. BLx-:sslNG IMPULSE TRANSMITTING DEVIC E llll 1,641,617 Sept. 6, 1927 1. G. BLr-:sslNG IMPULSE TRANSMITTING DEVI GE Original Filed Auz. 28. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /5 /f 37 [8 TIL/EU DI' Jahn E. B25551119 f Sept. 6, 1927.

J. G. BLESSING IMP'ULSE` TRANSMITTING DEVICE Originajvgiled 28. 1924 I gg 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jahn 9.5155511113 WEZMM Sept. 6, 1927.

1,641,617 .1.6. BLEsslNG mPuLsE TRANSMITTING DEVICE original Filed Aug. 28. 1924 4 sheets-sheet 4 Jahn .EBZEsEmg Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. BLESSING, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC INC., 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE.

IMPULSE-TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

Application filed August 28, 1924, Serial The present invention relates in general to impulse transmitting devices, but is particularly concerned with that type of impulse transmitting device, which, responsive to a single actuation thereof, transmits the called subscribers entire number; and the objects of the invention are, first, to provide improved mechanisms for use in selecting the digits to be transmitted; second, to so del0 sign the mechanism that the weight of the moving parts are reduced to a minimum, permitting greater ease of operation; and, third, to increase the capacity of the device without materially increasing it in size.

These objects are obtained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a front view of the entire device.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the device as seen when looking in the direction of the arrows A-A, Fig. 3, with the exception that vari ous operating mechanisms have not been shown.

Fig. 3 is a View in elevation with certain parts broken away.

F ig. 4 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 or a top view o Fig. 3, but with the finger hole dial, and number nlate removed, and with a portion of the plate lying below the number plate broken away so as to clearly show the relationship of the various gears.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of art of the device as shown lying to the right of an imaginary vertical line passing through the center of Fig. 1.

Fig. G is a view on the lower part of Fig. 5 as it appears when the dial 45 and main shaft 27 are rotated at 270.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of a part of Fig. 6 on the line 3 3, but without shaft 27.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a part of the device below the line BB, Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a part above the line B-B, Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a view in elevation of a part of the notched discs as seen when looking in the direction indicated by arrows E-E. Fig. 3, showing their `staggered arrangement.

Fig. 11 is a plan view on line 4--4 of Fig.

Fig. 12 diagrammatically illustrates sufplates l an No. 734,561. Renewed January 17, 1927.

ficient of the device to show how it is connected u with a substation circuit, as it will ordinari y be used.

The construction and operation of the impulse transmitting device will now be described.

The main framework of the device consists of plates 1 and 2 (see Fig. 3), three spacing members 3, two posts 4 and 4', respectively, and a cross-bar 5. The spacing members 3 are riveted to the plate 2, while the plate 1 is secured to 4the spacing members 3 by the screws 5 (see Fig. 4). The post 4 is equipped with a spacing member 7 which is a press fit on the post. The post is also threaded on each end, and the end provided with a spacing member extends through an opening 6 (see Figs. 3 and 5) in the late 2 and held in place by the hexagon hea ed nut 8. The post 4 is also provided with a plurality of beveled washers which may be compressed, as desired, by turning the nut 9. The purpose of these washers will be described subsequently. Post 4 is located diametrically opposite and is identical to post 4. At the extreme lower end of the posts 4 and 4', a cross-bar 5 is held in position by the nuts 10 and 10.

The above described assembly is what may be considered to be the skeleton of the entire mechanism, since it acts as a support directly or indirectly for the entire assembly.

On the bottom side of the plate 2, (see Fig. l1) a bracket 13 is fastened by means of screw 14 to provide a bearingr for the shaft of the governor 15 which has the other end of its shaft extending through a hole drilled in late 1. Journaled between the 2 are two shafts, one of which, supports the gear 16 and pinion 17, while the othersunoorts gear wheel 18 and the pinion 19.

As will beobserved from Figs. 4 and 5, a spring retaining ring 22 lies on the u per side of plate 2 and is held in place by rictional engagement with the pins 19 and 20, when the sprin is under tension, as is the case when the evice is assembled. As will be readily observed, the outer end of the spring 21 is secured to the ring 22. Rotatably mounted on a sleeve 23 (see Fig. 5.), forming a part of plate 2, is a gear wheel 24 having a downwardly extending hub provided .with a lug for seizing the inner end of the power spring 21. Spacing members extending upward from the gear 24 are provided, and secured thereto is a bar 25 having each end formed into a finger stop, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4,'and 5. The gear 24, when in place, meshes with pinion 17, as most clearly shown in Fig. 4. Before placing the gear 24 into mesh with the pinion, however, the bar 25 is rotated several revolutions in a clockwise direction in order to'store a certain amount of power in the power spring 2l. After the device is completely assembled. means, which will subsequently be .described, is rovided for limitin the possible rotation of) gear 24 to one haf revolution. lt will be noted that the shaft carrying pinion 19 and gear 18 also carries an impulse cam 66 (see Fig. 11) for operating impulse springs 7 5 and 7 6. U

The clock spring 21 is for transmitting power to the impulse cam 66 and to. the

overnor 67. The power is transmitted rom the gear 24 to the shaft carrying the cam 66 through the medium of pinion 17, gear 16 and pinion 19, while the power is transmitted to the governor b the above gear train and by gear 18 an pinion 15. The gear 16 is not rigidly secured to the shaft, but is loosely mounted thereon and connected therewith through the medium of a pawl 77 and ratchet 78 so as to rotate with the shaft in one direction only.

The above constitutes the mechanism required to transmit a single large series of impulses. The mechanism for permitting only variable groups of impulses of said impulse series to be effective will now be described.

A U-shaped member 27 forms the framework of the above mechanism. On a downwardly extending sleeve 23', forming a part of plate 2, this member 27 is rotatably mounted. The upper Aend of bar 27 is somewhat longer than the lower bent portion and carries a housing 29 for a shaft having fixed thereto, pinion 37 and gear wheel 36. A main shaft 27 is, when the device is assembled, extended through sleeves 23, 23 and the upper opening in the bar 27, and a spring 38 is positioned between the two parallel ends of the bar. The lower end of shaft 27 is slotted to receive the end of the spring 38, while there are two pins extending downward from the upper end of bar 2T so that the other end of spring 38 is in fixed relation thereto. Before dropping the gear 28 into mesh with pinion 37, the finger hole dial is attached to this gear 28 by means of three screws, such as 40, (see Fig. 5) and the finger holefdial is rotated in a clockwise direction until a desired amount of normal tension is stored in the spring 38, after which the gear 28 is dropped into mesh with the pinion 37, and

' a pin 82 is placed through an opening in the lower end of shaft 27 to prevent further endwise movement of the shaft. The housing for the shaft 30 extends through holes in the gear 24 and the bar 25, respectively. As previously stated, the tension of the power spring 21 is such that it tends to rotate the bar 25 in a counter-clockwise direction. This rotation, however, is prevented by the housing 29 engaging the end of the semi-circular opening in plate 2. Journaled between the parallel ends of bar 27 is a worm gear 34 which is provided at its upper end with a pinion 35 and a single tooth ratchet 35 (see Figs. 5 and 9). A pawl controlled by spring tends to engage this ratchet, but this is normally prevented by a pin 43 on the under side of plate 2 which engages the awl just before the post 29 engages the end of slot 80 (see Fig. 11). The gear 28 on the finger hole dial is for transmitting motion to elevate and lower bar 31, and it accomplishes this result through the medium of pinion 37, gear wheel 36, pinion 35 and the worm gear 34. The worm gear in turning, causes the bar 31 to be elevated until hub 32 comes into engagement with the upper end of bar 27. The tension of spring 38 is such that it normally maintains the hub 32 of bar 31 in engagement with the lower end of bai' 27 It will be evident from this that rotary motion of the dial is limited in either direction by hub 32.

Before describing the function of bar 31, it is thought advisable to describe the construction and purpose of the discs 90. As previously mentioned, therel is a plurality of beveled washers on each post 4 and 4. Slidabl mounted between corresponding discs o each of these two posts is a semicircular disc 90 such as shown in Fig. 2. As will be evident from Figs. 3 and 10, the discs are assembled in staggered relation, i. e., the bottom disc, forming onehalf of a circle, is mounted on the posts 4 and 4 from the side of the device lying at the left of line C-C, Fig. 2, while the next higher disc is mounted from the side of the device lying to the right of line C-C. In order to strengthen the disc assembl and to assure that the discs are in equiistant relation to each other at all points, each disc is provided with a spacing member 12 through which holding machine screws extend into a threaded portion of plate 2. These screws are illustrated in Figs. 3 and 10. It may be desirable to remove one disc and substitute another from time to time and this may be readily done by removing the proper screw 7 and slightly loosening nuts 10 and 10.

Each end of each disc is cut away at each end as shown at a, Fig. 12, so that when all discs are assembled in place, there will be a clear passage-way to permit the elevallO to lever 50, while the discs on the right ofi line (-C are accessible to lever 51.

As previously pointed out, when the device is at normal, bar 31 and its levers 50 and 51 are in alignment with the lowermost semi-circular disc.

Now considering the operation which takes place to bring about the selection of the particular subscribers number to be transmitted, reference will be had to Fig. 1, and it will be noted that, if the di it 1 is dialled. no movement of the dial, independent of finger stop, will take place. Under these conditions, the bracket 27, Worm 34, shaft and its housing, and the bar 31 will rotate with the dial as a unit andthe bar 31 will not be elevated. From this, it will be evident that the digit transmitted will depend on what impulses are short circuited by the member 51 as it engages the lowcrmost semi-circular disc on its return movement. It may be pointed out that although the shunt springs 52 and 53 are actuated during the setting movement, they are ineffective at this time as the impulse -springs are not being actuated. If the digit 2 is dialled, the dial will be rotated approximately 6 before the finger of the operator engages the finger stop and the gear 28 will, through the medium of pinion 37 and gear 36. and pinion 35, cause the worm 34 to be rotated sufficiently to elevate the bar 31 into alignment with the second disc from the bottom of the bank of discs before operating these parts as a unit. If the digit 3 is dialled. the finger hole dial will be rotated approximately 12 before the finger engages the finger stop and the gears 28 and 36, through the medium of pinions 37 and 35 will elevate the bar 31 into alignment with the third disc from the bottom of the bank. lf the dial is operated from the finger hole 30, the same will be rotated approximately 180C before the finger engages the finger stop, in `which case the above gear train will cause the Worm 34 to be rotated a sufficient distance to cause the bar 31 to be elevated opposite the 30th. or top. disc of the bank.

It will be appreciated from the above that any disc of the bank may be selected, depending upon the point from which the finger hole dial is operated. Regardless of the subscriber desired, the bar 25 is always o erated through the medium ofone of t e finger stops one-half revolution and through the medium of gear 24, pinion 17, gear 16 and pinion 18 rotates the shaft, which has fixed to its lower YYend the impulse cam 66, a definite number of revolutions. As previously ointed out, during the forward rotation of) the bar 25, only a part of the gear train is operated due to the ratchet connection between pinion 17 and gear 16. The power spring 1s, however, Wound up during this rotation and serves to return the bar 25 as soon as the finger is removed from the device. The governor 15, adapted to be driven by pinion 68, which is in mesh with the gear 16, controls the speed of the return movement of the mechanism. A spring ratchet connection between the pinion 68 and the hub of the governor is provided so that when the pinion is brought to a stop, the governor is free to continue to -rotate under its own momentum. As soon as the bar 25 is moved from its normal posi- 43 and, under tension of springs 70, falls 'into the tooth of the ratchet disc 35', and in so doing, prevents the bar 31 from being returned to normal by the dial while the bar 25 is in an ofi' normal position. Just before bar 25 reaches its normal position, the end of slot 80, pawl 42 engages pin 43, thereby causing the pawl to free the ratchet to permit the dial to return the bar 31 to its normal or home position.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 12, it will be noted that there are three discs 48', 49and 55 insulated from each other and mounted on the bottom side of bar 27. The disc 48 is cut awa at one point, as illustrated in Figs. 6 an 12, which, as previously pointed out, is shown in Fig. 6 with member 27 rotated approximately 270. When the device is at normal, this cut-away portion of disc 48 is in alignment with springs 42 and 43 and permits them to engage, as shown in Fig. 12. The purpose of these springs, in conjunction with the shunt springs 52, 53. and 54 and the interrupter springs 5 and 76. will now be clearly defined, reference being had to the circuit diagram of Fig. 12. It is here assumed that the dial has been operated until the o erators finger engaged a finger stop, but tliat the finger stop has not yet been moved. The )lever 51 is the one having access to the disc 90 and, therefore, when the finger stop is rotated one half revolution, as it always is, the lever 51 actuates springs 52. 53 and 54 as it rides over the inner periphery of disc 90'. Also. as soon as the finger s'top is moved off normal, spring 42 is engaged by from spring 4 As previously described, impulse springs and 76 are not actuated at this time due to the pawl and ratchet condisc 48 and is disengaged nection between gear 16 and pinion 17. As soon as the finger stop has been rotated as far as it will go, at which time the arm 51 will be where arm is at normal, the operator removes his finger from the device, allowing the same to restore. The impulse springs 75 and 76 are--now actuated by cam 66, and effect the transmission of impulses until arm 51 engages a raised portion 47 of the disc 90'. During this time the springs 52 and 54 are in engagement and a shunt circuit is established through the receiver and transmitter of the substation. This circuit extends from one side of the receiver, spring 44, disc 55, spring 54. spring 52, disc 48', spring 42', regular calling device springs S, the transmitter and the other side of the receiver. The closure of this circuit during the transmission of impulses prevents the disagreeable noises being heard by the calling subscriber. As soon as the first series of impulses, as determined by the disc,

has been transmitted, the arm'l engages' the raised portion 47. and, durinor the time it is passing over this portion o? the disc, springs 52 and 53 will be closed by arm 51 to short circuit springs 75 and 7 6. As soon as arm 51 drops in notch 48, impulses are again transmitted.

As shown, the disc 90' is arranged to eause a seven digit number to be transmitted. As will be apparent, after the last digit is transmitted arm 51 rides on raised portion 47. Now in order to guard against the transmission of an extra impulse, as arm 51 drops off ortion 47', spring 42 becomes disengaged rom disc 48 and again short circuits the springs 75 and 76. Attention is also called to the fact that, although springs 52 and 5.4 are closed when the device is at normal, the previously described shunt circuit around the receiver and transmitter is open at disc 48.

Although the disc 90 is cut out to serve a 7 digit system, this is not essential to the invention as any disc may be cut for a system having a less number of digits, in which case the raised portion 47' may extend half way around the disc. In the transmission of a group of only a few series of impulses, the shunt springs` will, therefore, be held open to permit conversation to take place as soon as the called subscriber answers, even though the mechanism has not completed its cycle of operation.

From the above it will be appreciated that a plicant has devised an impulse transmitt1ng device which should prove of considerable value to the telephone art.

What is claimed is:

1. In an impulse transmitting device, a bank of discs, a pair of springs normaly opposite one of said discs, means including a Worm gear for elevating said springs opposite any other of the discs, means for rotating said springs, and means for operating said springs during their rotation in a characteristic manner dependent on the contour of the disc opposite which the springs are located.

2. In an impulse transmitting device, means for operating a train of gears to determine which one of a plurality of impulse codes is to be transmitted, impulse springs. means for causing said springs to be operated a plurality of times, said means also effective to move the first means and gear train as a unit to render certain operations of said impulse springs ineffective.

3. In an impulse transmitting device, a pair of impulse springs, a power spring, a plurality of stationary cam surfaced members each individual to a particular designation on said device, a'pair of shunt springs, manually operable means for causing the elevation of said shunt springs opposite a member corresponding to its designation on said device, manually operated means operative incidental to the operation of said first manually operative device for storing power in said power spring to eii'ect the operation of said impulse springs and rotation of said shunt springs. and means cooperating with the member opposite which said springs are located to operate said shunt springs to render certain operations of said impulse springs ineffective.

4. In an impulse transmitting device, a series of stationary members, interrupter springs, a movable finger stop and means controlled thereby for operating said springs a definite number of times each time the device is operated, a pair of springs for renderin ineffective certain operations of said impu se springs, means including a worin gear for associating said last springs with any member, and means for causing said short circuiting springs to be actuated in a characteristic manner as determined bv the member with which they are associated.

5. In an impulse transmitting device, a bar capable of both rotary and lateral movement, a finger hole dial, means controlled by said dial including a worm gear for transmitting lateral movement to said bar, a movable finger stop, and means controlled therey for transmitting rotary motion to said 6. In an impulse transmitting device, impulse springs, means for short circuiting said impulse springs, a pluralit of semi-circular discs, and means operate in a manner dependent on the disc used for determining when said impulse springs will be short circuited.

7. In an impulse transmitting device, a

lurality of fixed circuit controlling memers, a device operated selectively by any one of said members, means for selectively associating said device with a particular one of said members and means for then operating said device in a characteristic manner dependent on the xed member selected.

8. In an impulse transmitter, a control circuit,a pair of impulse contacts, a second set of contacts, means for operating said second contacts, means controlled by said second contacts for controlling the eli'ect produced by said first contacts, a plurality of elements for variably affecting the means for operatin the second contacts and means for selective y placing said last means into operative relation with any particular one of' said elements.

9. In an impulse transmitter, a rotatable finger hold plate, means controlled thereby during a distinct portion of its rotation for determining the numbei1 of impulses to be transmitted, and other means controlled thereby during a different distinct portion of its rotation to store energy to effect the generation of impulses.

10. In an impulse transmitter, a rotatable finger hold late, a movable finger stop, means contro led by movement of the finger hold plate rior to any movement of the finger stop or determining the number of impulses to be transmitted, and means operated thereafter by movement of the finger stop to store up energy to eilect the generation of impulses.

11. In an impulse transmitter adapted to transmit a plurality of trains of impulses in response to a single setting operation thereof, contact springs for determining the number and value of the trains of impulses, and means for giving said springs a motion of translation to take up a position in accordance with the trains of impulses required to be transmitted and a motion of rotation to control the transmission of said impulses.

12. In an impulse transmitting device adapted to transmit a plurality of trains of impulses in response to a, single setting operation thereof, contact springs for determinlthat in the normal position ing the number and value of the trains of impulses, means for giving said springs a motion of translation to take up a positlon in accordance with the trains of impulses required to be transmitted and a motion of rotation to control the transmission of said impulses and means -for preventing a false operation of the device.

13. In an impulse transmitter adapted to transmit a plurality of trains of impulses in response to a single setting operation thereof, contact springs adapted to be variably operated by fixed cam discs provided for insuring that onl certain of the im ulses generated are ren ered effective, a p urality of rotatable discs electrically connected to said contact springs, brushes bearing on said discs, one of said discs being cut away so two of said brushes engage one another to prevent false operation of the device.

14. In an impulse transmitting device, a bank comprising a plurality of semiannular discs haring their ends slotted, supporting membeis engaged in said slots, and spacing members comprising washers which are bevelled to facilitate the insertion or replacement of a disc in the bank.

15. An impulse transmitter as claimed in claim 15 in which the discs are assembled alternately facing opposite ways so as to form a cylindrical bank.

16. In an impulse transmitter provided with a bank of discs in the form of a cylinder, contact springs, a bell crank lever support having one arm at each end thereof one of which engages a disc in a certain portion of its travel and the other of which engages a different disc so that the sprin s may be operated by a disc in either half o the bank.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of August, A. D.,

JOHN G. BLESSING.

said device in a characteristic manner dependent on the lixed member selected.

8. In an impulse transmitter, a control circuit, a pair of impulse contacts, a second set of contacts, means for operating said second contacts, means controlled by said second contacts for controlling the eii'ect produced by said first contacts, a plurality of elements for variably aliecting the means for operatinof the second contacts and means for selectively placing said last means into operative relation with any particular one of said elements.

9. In an impulse transmitter, a rotatable finger hold plate, means controlled thereby during a distinct portion of its rotation for determining the number of impulses to be transmitted, and other means controlled thereby during a different distinct portion of its rotation to store energy to effect the generation of impulses.

10. In an impulse transmitter, a rotatable finger hold plate, a movable finger stop, means controlled by movement of the finger hold plate prior to any movement of the finger stop for determining the number of impulses to be transmitted, and means operated thereafter by movement of the finger stop to store up energy to effect the generation of impulses.

11. In an impulse transmitter adapted to transmit a plurality of trains of impulses in response to a single setting operation thereof, contact springs for determining the number and value of the trains of impulses, and means for giving said springs a motion of translation to take up a position in accordance with the trains of impulses required to be transmitted and a motion of rotation to control the transmission of said impulses.

12. In an impulse transmitting device adapted to transmit a plurality of trains of impulses in response to a single setting operation thereof, contact springs for determining the number and value of the trains of impulses, means for giving said springs a motion of translation to take up a position in accordance with the trains of impulses required to be transmitted and a motion of rotation to control the transmission of said impulses and means Vfor preventing a false operation of the device.

13. In an impulse transmitter adapted to transmit a plurality of trains of impulses in response to a single setting operation thereof, contact springs adapted to be variably operated by lixed cam discs provided for insuring that onl certain of the impulses generated are ren ered effective, a plurality of rotatable discs electrically connected to said contact springs. brushes bearing on said discs, one of said discs being cut away so rthat in the normal position two of said brushes engage one another to prevent false operation of the device.

14. In an impulse transmitting device, a. bank comprising a plurality oi' semiannular discs haring their ends slotted, supporting membersl engaged in said slots, and spacing members comprising Washers which are bevelled to facilitate the insertion or replacement of a disc in the bank.

15. An impulse transmitter as claimed in claim l5 in which the discs are assembled alternately facing opposite ways so as to form a cylindrical bank.

16. In an impulse transmitter provided with a bank of discs in the form of a cylinder, contact springs, a bell crank lever suport having one arm at each end thereof one of which engages a disc in a certain portion of its travel and the other of which engages a diil'erent disc so that the sprin s may be operated by a disc in either half o the bank.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of August, A. D.,

JOHN G. BLESSING.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1. 641,617.

Granted September 6, 1927, to

JOHN G. BLESSING.

.i 1t is herebyeertified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correct ion as fol lows:

Page 5, line 74, claim l5, for the numeral "l5" read "'14"; and that the said Lettere Patent should he read with this correction therein that the of the case in the Patent Office.

Seal.

same may conform to the record M. l. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patente CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,641,617. Granted September 6, 1927, to

JOHN G. BLESSING.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 74, claim l5, for the numeral "15" read "l4"; and that the said Lettere Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this lst day of November, A. D. 1927.

M. l. Moore, Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patents 

